PS102 Midterm Essay (Midterm also includes an online quiz)

Basics
 Due date specified on Canvas
 Submit via Canvas as a Word document (do NOT submit GoogleDoc OR link!!)
 No cheating, plagiarism, or use of AI!

Learning Goals for Midterm:

Develop understanding of
a) variables, values, and indicators;
b) dependent variables and independent variables;
c) mental models of how IVs influence a DV;
d) literature reviews and how scholars discuss DVs and IVs, and
e) how to read a graph intelligently.

Instructions
 Graphs at the end of this document show variation in some variable across groups of observations.
Select only ONE graph to use for your analysis. Do NOT look for other graphs to analyze!
 Find only ONE article using GoogleScholar, following the directions below.
 Write an essay following the directions below and write ONE Word document … including 4 sections.
The first section should clearly lay out your answers to the 6 questions.

Midterm part 1: [14% of grade] Respond to these 6 questions, including the "Explain …" part, if there is one.
It will help you answer this part if you review the video lectures, especially from week 2.
1. What is the variable of the graph you chose? This is your dependent variable (DV) for this midterm.
Explain what makes a variable a dependent variable (1 sentence).
2. What is the indicator used to depict that variable? Explain what the difference is between a variable
and an indicator of a variable (1 sentence).
3. What is the range of values of the indicator in your graph?
4. What are the units across which the DV of your graph varies? Explain why variation in a dependent
variable is usually important to social science research (1 sentence).
5. What is an ALTERNATIVE indicator that could be used to measure (or observe) that variable? Explain
how your alternative indicator is better, worse, or differs from the one in the graph (i.e., the one you
identified in question 2 above) (1 sentence).
Example: a graph of the variable "running speed by gender" might depict that variable as "fastest pace
in the mile" but an alternative indicator might be "fastest pace in the marathon."
6. Using GoogleScholar, find a scholarly article that identifies independent variables (IVs) that explain
your DV. Then, copy and paste the GoogleScholar citation for as your answer to this question.
o To find the article: go to https://scholar.google.com/ and search using the phrase at the top
of your graph. Scan several articles and read ONE article that identifies independent variables
(IVs) that explain your DV. If you can't find the text of the article or you hit a paywall, then
search for that article at https://library.uoregon.edu/ (that often will get you past the
paywall) OR select another article.
o To copy the citation: click the icon under the article and copy the APA formatted
citation (do NOT retype it).

Midterm part 2: [100 words or fewer, 16% of grade]: Looking at the dependent variable (DV) in your graph,
identify at least one research question that requires explanation. The question can be about why there is so much
variation in the DV or so little variation in the DV across units/groups. Or it might be why one of the “units” or
groups on the graph have very different values of the DV than other units/groups. Identify why you might have
expected the DV to show LESS variation across units. Then identify why you might have expected the DV to show
MORE variation across units.
Example: A graph of "running speed, by gender" (for elite runners) might prompt a research question of "why
are men's fastest marathon times faster than women's?" You might expect less variation between genders (our
units/groups) than we see because elite men and women wear similar running shoes. You might expect more
variation between genders than we see because elite men and women may not receive equivalent training.

Midterm part 3: [500 words or fewer, 45% of grade]: What are three (3) independent variables (IVs) that the
article you selected identifies as factors/determinants/causes of variation in the DV of your graph. Then choose
one of those IVs that is a social IV and discuss in your own words the argument the article makes about HOW
variation in that IV could cause change in the DV. Do NOT critique the argument, but simply communicate
accurately the author's argument about the mental model by which the IV causes change in the DV.
Example: a social IV that influences running speed might be "hours of training." A non-social IV of running
speed might be the length of a runner's legs. Base your choices of these IVs on the article you selected.

Midterm part 4: [200 words or fewer, 20% of grade]: Now, identify a causal question that takes the variable
depicted in your graph and treat it as an IV for a different research study. That is, instead of explaining the variable
in your graph, use the variable in your graph to explain variation in something else.
Example: "running speed" could be the IV that influences "annual income from product endorsements."

Midterm – Overall quality of essay: [5% of grade]:

 Variation in income across US states
GoogleScholar search phrase: "determinants of variation in income"
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/median-household-income-by-state

Average Household Income

 Variation in gender wage gap across five countries and over time
GoogleScholar search phrase: "explaining the gender wage gap"
https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/gender-wage-gap-oecd?country=AUS~ITA~JPN~SWE~GBR~US
Use graph provided here! Do NOT Search for other data or graphs!

Difference in Average Earnings between Women and Men

(0 cents = equal pay / 40 cents = women make 60 cents for every dollar men make)
 Variation in suicide rates across US states
GoogleScholar search phrase: "explaining variation in suicide across states"
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/suicide-rates-by-state
Use graph provided here! Do NOT Search for other data or graphs!

Suicides per 100,000 people

 Variation in voter turnout by race and over time
GoogleScholar search phrase: "explaining voter turnout"
https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/voting-and-registration/voting-historical-time-series.html
Use graph provided here! Do NOT Search for other data or graphs!

Voters as % of Citizens in Presidential Election Years

 Weight for
Rubric Criteria
section

Midterm part 1
140 pts / 14%
Answer the seven questions, each on its own line, within the Word document submit.
**Label this section Midterm part 1 in your Word document.**

Midterm part 2: [100 words or fewer]

Looking at the dependent variable (DV) in your graph, identify at least one research question
that requires explanation. The question can be about why there is so much variation in the DV or 160 pts / 16%
so little variation in the DV. Identify why you might expect the DV to show LESS variation across
units. Then identify why you might expect the DV to show MORE variation across units.
**Label this section Midterm part 2 in your Word document.**

Midterm part 3: [500 words or fewer]

What are three (3) independent variables (IVs) that the article identifies as
factors/determinants/causes of variation in the DV of your graph. Then choose one of those IVs
that is a social IV and discuss in your own words the argument the article makes about HOW 450 pts / 45%
variation in that IV could cause change in the DV. Do NOT critique the argument, but simply
communicate accurately the author's argument about the mental model by which the IV causes
change in the DV. Also, identify one IV that is NOT a social variable that influences the DV.
**Label this section Midterm part 3 in your Word document.**

Midterm part 4: [200 words or fewer]

Now, identify a causal question that takes the variable depicted in your graph and treat it as an
200 pts / 20%
IV for a different research study. That is, instead of explaining the variable in your graph, use the
variable in your graph to explain variation in something else.
**Label this section Midterm part 4 in your Word document.**

Overall quality of essay 50 pts / 5%

Quality of argument, use of headings, professionalism of presentation

100 pts / 100%